Ancano is the final boss of the College of Winterhold questline in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. To defeat him, players must use the Staff of Magnus.

While most boss fights in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim consist of the Dragonborn confronting against a formidable enemy in open combat, some bosses, such as Ancano, require more complex mechanics to defeat. Ancano is an agent of the Thalmor who encounters the Dragonborn in College of Winterhold. He serves in a high position as the advisor for Arch-Mage Savos Aren, yet no one in Skyrim's College of Winterhold is pleased with his presence.

Near the conclusion of the college's questline, players will travel into the Labyrinthian, a large Nordic tomb in the Hjaalmarch Hold. Within its winding depths lies the fabled Staff of Magnus, an arcane weapon that's connected to the Eye of Magnus. While the college wishes to study and uncover the secrets of the Eye's ancient power, Ancano wishes to harness its magical energy for himself and take over the College of Winterhold. Thus, it is up to the Dragonborn to take him down.

Before confronting Ancano in Skyrim, it is recommended for players to make a few essential preparations, especially for higher levels of difficulty. First, players will need a moderate supply of Skyrim Soul Gems. Since they will need to use the Staff of Magnus during the fight, it is crucial to have filled Soul Gems on hand to recharge the staff's enchanted capacity. Next, Ancano is a powerful sorcerer, meaning the spell attacks he wields can potentially take down the Dragonborn within a few hits. As a result, non-magic users need to have Magic or other Elemental Resistant armor equipped. Once these preparations are complete, Skyrim players can confidently take on Ancano.

How to Defeat Ancano in the Skyrim Quest "Eye of Magnus"

After returning to the college with the ancient staff, the player will find Ancano tampering with the Eye of Magnus, attempting to control its power. To stop him from taking over the College of Winterhold in Skyrim, players will need to slay Ancano without delay. However, any physical or magical attack will not damage the boss, as the Eye of Magnus temporarily shields him. To disrupt this shield, players will need to equip the Staff of Magnus and funnel its lightning attack into the giant orb. This process will drain its energy; hence players need to have Soul Gems ready for recharging. The Eye will begin to spin and open, emitting a bright bluish glow across the room. Continue to use the staff on the Eye of Magnus until it closes.

Once the Eye shuts and the glowing light dissipates, the golden aura that shielded Ancano will also vanish, signaling to the player that he is vulnerable to weapon and spell attacks in Skyrim. Attack him while being wary of his spell casts, and if the Eye ever reopens, repeat the previous procedure of beaming the staff's energy onto the orb. Continue cutting down Ancano's HP until he has been defeated.

Next: How Long Skyrim Anniversary Edition Takes To Beat Completely

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.